The Relationship Between Perceived and Evaluated Needs to Care for Dental Caries with the Use of Dental Health Services in the Community of Pematang Siantar
Introduction
Dental and oral diseases are a significant public health concern in Indonesia, particularly in Pematang Siantar City. According to a 2004 household health survey, around 60% of the population experienced dental and oral diseases, with dental caries being the most prevalent health problem. Despite the high prevalence of dental caries, the use of dental polyclinics in Pematang Siantar City is still low compared to national standards. This study aims to investigate the relationship between perceived needs and evaluated needs to the use of dental health services in the community of Pematang Siantar.
Background
Dental caries is a preventable health problem that not only affects individual health but also disrupts the quality of life of the community as a whole. The high prevalence of dental caries in Pematang Siantar City is a concern that requires attention from healthcare providers, policymakers, and the community. The use of dental health services is essential to prevent and manage dental caries, but the low utilization of these services in Pematang Siantar City is a significant barrier to addressing this health problem.
Methodology
This study employed an analytical design with a cross-sectional approach to investigate the relationship between perceived needs and evaluated needs to the use of dental health services in the community of Pematang Siantar. The population in this study consisted of all people living in the city, with a sample of 464 people. Data collection was carried out through interviews using questionnaires, and statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-Square method and multiple logistics regression.
Results
The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of caries in the community reached 97.2%, while the DMF-T (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) index was at 6.43. The analysis shows a significant relationship between the perceived needs and the needs evaluated by the use of dental health services. In this case, the relationship between evaluated needs and the use of dental health services is more significant (p = 0.001; prevalence ratio = 2.383) compared to relationships involving perceived needs (p = 0.036; prevalence ratio = 1,649).
Discussion
The results of this study suggest that the use of dental health services is more likely to occur when individuals perceive a need for dental care and receive evaluation and inspection from medical personnel. This finding highlights the importance of dental health counseling and education in increasing public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. Training for dental health instructors at the Puskesmas can be an effective first step to increase public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of dental caries in Pematang Siantar City is a significant public health concern that requires attention from healthcare providers, policymakers, and the community. The results of this study suggest that the use of dental health services is more likely to occur when individuals perceive a need for dental care and receive evaluation and inspection from medical personnel. Therefore, it is essential to make more intensive dental health counseling efforts, including training for dental health instructors and completing dental health facilities with adequate equipment.
Recommendations
Strategic steps like this will not only increase the use of dental health services but also help reduce the prevalence of caries and improve the status of dental health in the city of Pematang Siantar as a whole. With proper handling, it is hoped that the community will be more aware and educated about the importance of dental health, which in turn can reduce the incidence of caries in the future.
Limitations
This study has several limitations, including the use of a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the temporal relationship between perceived needs and the use of dental health services. Additionally, the sample size of 464 people may not be representative of the entire population of Pematang Siantar City.
Future Research Directions
Future research should investigate the effectiveness of dental health counseling and education in increasing public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. Additionally, studies should explore the impact of completing dental health facilities with adequate equipment on the use of dental health services and the prevalence of caries in the community.
References
SKRT (2004). Household Health Survey.
Pematang Siantar City Health Profile (2006).
Multiple logistics regression analysis.
Appendices
Questionnaire used in the study.
Data collection and analysis procedures.
Results of the Chi-Square method and multiple logistics regression analysis.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Relationship Between Perceived and Evaluated Needs to Care for Dental Caries with the Use of Dental Health Services in the Community of Pematang Siantar
Q: What is the main objective of this study?
A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived needs and evaluated needs to the use of dental health services in the community of Pematang Siantar.
Q: What is the significance of this study?
A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of dental health counseling and education in increasing public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. It also emphasizes the need for completing dental health facilities with adequate equipment to optimize services and provide friendly and effective maintenance solutions for the community.
Q: What is the prevalence of dental caries in Pematang Siantar City?
A: The prevalence of dental caries in Pematang Siantar City is 97.2%, with a DMF-T (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) index of 6.43.
Q: What is the relationship between perceived needs and the use of dental health services?
A: The analysis shows a significant relationship between perceived needs and the use of dental health services. However, the relationship between evaluated needs and the use of dental health services is more significant (p = 0.001; prevalence ratio = 2.383) compared to relationships involving perceived needs (p = 0.036; prevalence ratio = 1,649).
Q: What are the implications of this study?
A: The implications of this study are that dental health counseling and education are essential in increasing public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. Additionally, completing dental health facilities with adequate equipment can optimize services and provide friendly and effective maintenance solutions for the community.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: The limitations of this study include the use of a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the temporal relationship between perceived needs and the use of dental health services. Additionally, the sample size of 464 people may not be representative of the entire population of Pematang Siantar City.
Q: What are the future research directions?
A: Future research should investigate the effectiveness of dental health counseling and education in increasing public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. Additionally, studies should explore the impact of completing dental health facilities with adequate equipment on the use of dental health services and the prevalence of caries in the community.
Q: What are the recommendations for policymakers and healthcare providers?
A: Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize dental health counseling and education to increase public awareness about the importance of dental and oral care. Additionally, they should ensure that dental health facilities are equipped with adequate equipment to optimize services and provide friendly and effective maintenance solutions for the community.
Q: What are the recommendations for the community?
A: The community should prioritize dental health and oral care by seeking regular dental check-ups and following good oral hygiene practices. Additionally, they should be aware of the importance of dental health counseling and education in preventing and managing dental caries.
Q: What are the next steps for this study?
A: The next steps for this study include publishing the findings in a peer-reviewed journal and presenting the results at a national or international conference. Additionally, the study's findings should be disseminated to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the community to inform decision-making and promote dental health and oral care.